(See Interurban Trail Description for initial directions.) At the Interurban Trail-Fragrance Lake Trail intersection (just across Chuckanut Drive from the Larrabee State Park entrance), 6.5 miles, go left through the bike barricade.
After a short, level prelude through hemlocks, cedars, and sword ferns (oh my!), the trail switchbacks onward and upward. At 7.4 miles, come to a signed T-intersection. Take a left for a quick jaunt to a viewpoint that takes advantage of Chuckanut Mountain’s emergence right out of Samish Bay. See emerald isles—San Juan, Gulf, and Vancouver—snow-capped mountains and lots of sun-sparkling water—northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. Back on the main trail, continue right at the intersection, following the sign for Fragrance Lake; it’s not much more than a mile away.
Easy to follow, the trail becomes slightly more rugged. At 8.4 miles reach an almost-always muddy notch with another bike barricade. Fragrance Lake is in a basin about two-tenths of a mile straight ahead. (Go right for Lost Lake, Little Chinscraper and other points.) The peaceful, contemplative pond is circled by a three-quarter mile dirt ‘n’ mud ‘n’ wood bridge trail. Impressive sandstone cliffs too, on the north and northwest sides of the lake.
Little Chinscraper (from Fragrance Lake Trail)
(See Fragrance Lake Trail for initial description.) At the bike barricade at 8.4 miles, run right and right again when you reach an open (a former parking lot). Run downhill for a couple hundred yards and turn left at a gated road. The easy-to-miss trailhead is just ahead on the left at a Gate Ahead sign (that’s facing the other way).
Fondly referred to as the Little Chinscraper, this trail climbs 850 feet in 0.9 miles and causes big pain. It’s ridiculously steep, rocky and root-strewn which means it’s beloved by mountain bikers who love to come screaming down it—so watch out. Raise your eyes up from time to time though your inclination is to stare at your shoe tops. Admire the beakwork of pileated woodpeckers who've bored countless football-sized holes in numerous snags along the way. Catch views of Puget Sound from time to time as they pop up through the trees.
At the top, catch your breath and pat yourself on the back—you've made it to the highest point on Chuckanut Mountain at 1,940 feet! The trail continues on, descending about 50 yards then opens out into the Cyrus Gates Overlook parking lot, at the end Cleator Road. (Follow Cleator Road down for 3.6 miles to the Interurban Trail.)
Lost Lake Loop (17.7 miles; Store-Interurban Trail- Clayton Beach Parking Lot-Lost Lake-Interurban Trail-Store)
Follow the above directions to Larrabee State Park/Clayton Beach Parking Lot at 6.9 miles. From the parking lot, climb Fragrance Lake Road for about 2 miles to a gated road on the right. (Ignore the first gated road, about a mile past the parking lot.) This is the south end of the Lost Lake Trail.
After running past the Gate Ahead sign (facing the other way) and the entrance to Little Chinscraper, begin a gradual ascent along an old road. Gain about 500 feet over the next 1.2 miles until you reach a shoulder, about 10.1 miles from the store. Your reward is fast descent—500 feet down over the next 1.2 miles—into the Lost Lake basin. Be aware that the trail is narrow, often overgrown and almost always, rates an 11 on the mud scale, especially the closer you get to the lake.
At a signed trail intersection at 11.3 miles, run left and head north for 2 miles, much of it through a narrow trail that’s little more than an open tube of muck, mud and mire. (But hey, you’re a trail runner; you’ll deal.) Marvel at the huge sandstone to your left. Eventually, the trail widens to an old jeep road and at 13.3 miles reaches a four-way intersection. (To the right, the Salal Trail leads to the Hemlock Trail, Raptor Ridge, and Pine and Cedar Lakes. To the left, Banana Peel Way leads to the Chuckanut Ridge Trail.) To continue the loop, go straight.
Drop more than 600 feet over the next 1.2 miles as the route winds it’s way toward the Hemlock Trail. Go left, and just before a private home, right on a trail which switchbacks down and meanders through the upper reaches of Arroyo Park before intersection with the Interurban Trail at 15.2 miles. From here, it’s 2-1/2 miles back to the store. (See Points South and Interurban Trail for trail description and just follow it backward.)
By, Mike McQuaide